Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This far too young but when I have a chance to look in on Cheval Blanc I do.

Nose shows; ripe blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, plum, moist clays, coffee, moist herbs, roasted chestnuts, amazing florals that are red flowers, red roses, lilacs & violets.

The palate shows some nice evolution but still too young to drink. Ripe and slightly candied; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, raspberries & plum. Moist clays, coffee, moist herbs, roasted chestnuts, espresso, mid berry cola, caramel, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, crazy, round, bold spice, moist tobacco, used leather, graphite, dark, rich earth, dry stone, limestone, soft oak powder notes, amazing florals that are red flowers, red roses, lilacs & violets, round, rainfall acidity, balance, mid structure/tension, grand length and a two-minute long polished finish.

94-97 — 2 days ago

Allyson Vaccaro-Pelton

9.7

Wowza felt too good to drink for a casual Tuesday — 5 months ago

Danny O'Brien

9.3

Delicious Bordeaux — 2 years ago

Bryan Florendo

9.1

Really liked this one. Very flavorful front. — 5 years ago

Brad Baumgarten

9.1

Enjoyable claret. Juicy lively but jammy. Nice black cherry, some savory notes. Decent length. — 6 years ago

Chris Gillespie

9.1

This sauv Blanc blend is out of sight esp for the price — 7 years ago

Nolan Gasser

9.2

Very smooth with a nice finish. Great with ribs. — 8 years ago

Joe Fischer

9.3

Superb!!! Ruby red with aromas of black cherry, black currant, plum, and black pepper. Nice long finish with flavors of black cherry, plum, blueberry, baking spices, and pepper. Slight tartness. Excellent with of Chimichurri Tri-tip. — 8 days ago

Mike Lev

9.2

49 cab 48 Malbec 3 petit Verdot. Aromas a bit fleshy perhaps. Generous length, finish, med+ tannins, med+ body; black fruit, cedar. — 2 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.0

Collaboration VI Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache — 7 months ago

Nic Anderson

9.0

Decent Bordeaux, I’d probably buy again, but would age it. Paired nicely with T-bone steaks and okay with dark chocolate. Strawberries, coffee and soil or wood are our taste and smelling notes. — 4 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Shades of dull purple, a bit cloudy, and a bit copper tone on the rim. Nose of nice ripe black cherry, strawberry, aldehyde, vanilla, spice, smooth in the nasal cavity, and hint of oak note. Nose is good and mature. Taste follows the nose with addition of mature tannins, slightly sweet, and tasty. Aftertaste is medium and mellow. Peak time now. Enjoy her now. — 6 years ago

Pietro Amirkhanian

9.4

Still got it — 7 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.4

This 2009 is. Wonderful deep chocolate cab . Really good juice. — 7 years ago

Tom Garland

9.8

Vins d'Exception Dinner (LVMH winery portfolio) at the French Laundry:
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Chateau Cheval Blanc with Pierre Clouet
Colgin Cellars with Ann Colgin
Domaine des Lambrays - Jacques Decauges
Chateau d'Yquem with Lorenzo Pasquini
8 course tasting menu from chef Thomas Keller.

WINES:
2021 Le Pitit Cheval Blanc semillon
2006 Chateau Cheval Blanc
2015 Chateau Cheval Blanc
2020 Domaine Des Lambrays puligny montrachet
1999 Domaine Des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays
2020 Domaine Des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays
2005 Colgin Estate cab
2016 Colgin Estate cab
2010 Colgin Estate syrah
2021 Colgin Estate syrah
2013 Chateau D'Yquem
1946 Chateau D'Yquem

FOOD
Japnese hamachi sashimi and cavier
Grilled Scottish Langoustine
Herb roasted Poulard with wild morels
Australian black winter truffle agnolotti
Broken Arrow Ranch Antelope
Snake River Farm beef and Mt Shasta porcini
Gruyere cheese tartlette
California stone fruit medley

At The French Laundry. Napa — a month ago

with Brenda

"Odedi"

9.1

Deep ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black currants, plums, oak, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, eucalyptus, light vegetables and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, chocolates, oak, licorice, light cola, vegetables and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Malbec based blend from the house of Cheval Blanc is starting to drink very nicely now. Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux.

Soft, smooth and elegant. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and interesting.

Needed 90 minutes in the decanter to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Wine Advocate 97 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 62% Malbec and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 15 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — 6 months ago

Rick Wolfen

9.2

Better the second night. — 5 years ago

Flora D

9.3

Woodsy, more purple in color.
Would pair with duck and thyme — 6 years ago

Max Gottesfeld, FWS, CSW

9.0

Cloves, cherries, petrol. Soft, round easy. A great Pinot for the money. $19.99 in PA. — 7 years ago

Carly Paro

9.1

Drank with Tara in Vegas. Easy and Smooth. Low tannins — 8 years ago